Abstract Today 30th Street Station is the main railroad station in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It had been built during the times of the Great Depression, and marked the commitment to transition to electricity as a preferred energy source. It was opened in 1933 by the Pennsylvania Railroad. However, due to the Great Depression and the following World War II, it did not fully take over all of the operations from the Broad St. Station until 1952.
Among the innovations employed in building the 30th Street Station were pneumatic tube system, electronic intercom and reinforced roof with that could land aircrafts. The design of the station was influenced by the Northeast corridor electrification. It allowed the tracks to pass underneath the main body of the station, without exposing the passengers to the soot from the steam engines. The architectural design was carried out in the neoclassical style with some elements of Art Deco that was popular at that period.
The construction of the station exemplifies the industrial urban development of the United States. The paper shows that the construction of the 30th Street Station is a local example of the industrialization of the nation. The architectural style in which 30th Street Station had been constructed points out the eagerness of the arc hitects and the Pennsylvania Railroad to reinstate their commitment to the technological and scientific advancement. Outline I. Introduction
II. The History of the 30th Street Station
1. The reason it was being built
2. Northeastern electrification project
III. The Architectural style of the 30th Street Station
1. Modernism
2. Neo-Federalism
3. Art-Deco 4. The style of the building
IV. Discussion on the significance of the design of the station V. Bibliography
The aerial picture of the 30th St Station shortly after its completion.
INTRODUCTION
The major terminal stations in big cities can tell the travelers a lot about the city that they are located in, the society that inhabits this city and the ideals that it holds. Railroad stations in some way are like the business cards of the cities; the first impression starts from there. It is especially true of the periods when the railroads were the major means of transportation. The Railroad Stations had to convey the sense of grandeur and magnificence that could leave the incomers in awe. At the same time they had to be reflective of the era, so that the travelers could relate to it. 30th Street Station in Philadelphia did all of that, not only it was a necessary transition from a smaller train station, but also through its architecture and design it communicated the sense of grandness of simple geometrical forms, and the contemporary striving towards efficiency and scientific and technological advancement.
HISTORY
In the 1920’s Philadelphia encompassed a wide array of different industries in its suburbs. Moreover, it had been also known for its mid-size enterprises and firms. This diversity ensured city’s independence from one particular industry. As a result, Philadelphia had never experienced rapid surges in its economy and trade, at the same time it did not s uffer as heavily if any one industry went out of business. However, in order to reap the fruits of its businesses Philadelphia’s industries had to deliver their products to the world. Hence, an efficient transportation system was vital in maintaining the trade turnover.
In the beginning of the 20th century with an in increasing number of the business and industries in the Philadelphia area and the new emerging technologies that were rapidly developing, the city found itself in a dire need of a new railroad hub that would be able to accommodate an ever-growing passenger influx and have a modern design that would eliminate the pollution and soot generated from the steam engines. By 1920’s the Broad Street Station held the heaviest passenger traffic in Pennsylvania Railroad. The design was inconvenient, the trains had to make a loop and wasted time. The Broad Street Station located in the Center City was becoming small and incapable of holding such heavy passenger traffic. The trains had to be backed into and out of the station. To address these issues, the PRR started to plan to construct a new building that would offer a good alternative to the Broad St Station. As a result PRR hired an architectural firm from Chicago - Graham, Anderson, Probst and White – to design the new railroad station, which would become the 30th St Station. The construction started in 1929 and was completed in 1933. The passenger service began on March 12, 1933. It had a slow progress in the beginning due to the downturn caused by the Great Depression, and afterwards World War II ensued, which resulted in the complete overturn of the operations from the Broad ST only in 1952.
In 1905 following the electrification of the New York railroads and opening of the new electrified Grand Central Terminal, PRR announced that Philadelphia would also be a part of the Northeastern Electrification project. Northeastern Electrification Project had a strong influence on the design of the 30th street station. The construction of the station demonstrated a commitment of the PRR to switch to electricity as preferred source of energy.
Influenced by the electrification project, 30th St Station had its track passing underneath which allowed for the trains traveling north and south to continue on without rearranging the engine and cars. Additionally it separated the local commuter traffic from the interstate flux. This layout completely segregated the two different forms of traffic, and created a very efficient system. The freight trains completely bypassed the station by using the West Philadelphia Elevated Branch, which is located immediately west of the station. The station also hosted a set of novelties, such as a chapel, a mortuary and a hospital space of 3300 square feet. Another innovations employed in the 30th Street Station included a buzzer and intercom system, and a pneumatic tube network that reinforced an effective internal communication system. Moreover, the concrete roof of the station featured a landing space that could accommodate a
small aircraft. Today the 30th Street Station is the second busiest station in the nation.
ARCHITECTURE
The Main Concourse of the 30th St Station.
Being built during the period when the modernist movement around the world was gaining more and more influence, 30th St Station also shows traits of the creed that form has to tell us about the function. Modernism, according to one of the most eminent modernist architects Le Corbusier, is architecture motivated by the quest for efficiency. Just to give you a sense of what modernism was about here’s what according to Le Corbusier constitutes the functions of a house: 1. To provide a shelter against heat, cold, rain, thieves and the inquisitive. 2. To provide a receptacle for light and sun. 3. To provide a certain number of cells a ppropriated to cooking, work, and personal life. The buildings in modernistic ideals were ought not to be beautiful, but to function well, and speak of the future full of speed and technology.
Neo-federalism, or neoclassicism, refers to a new classical style that takes its inspiration from the ancient classical Greek and Roman architecture. Neoclassical architecture was often times used in the architecture of the public buildings. The clarity of the Greek revival style exemplified an ideal and rational architecture that served the purpose of the building without extraneous embellishments.
The Art Deco movement in art and architecture was prevalent during the period between the two World Wars I and II. Art Deco exemplified “modernization” of earlier more classical styles in art and architecture. Art Deco was heavily used as a decorative style on the exterior and interior designs of the buildings. For the decorative purposes Art Deco employed a lot of new emerging materials, including glass, chrome, neon, terrazzo cobalt mirrors, colored glass and etc. The main concourse is an enormous hall that has easy access both to local commuter traffic, as well as interstate traffic tracks, which are located underneath.
SIGNIFICANCE
There have been numerous designs developed for the station. These variations expressed the prevalent enthusiasm about and commitment to progress through industrialization. Earlier designs reflect a more Beaux-Art approach, whereas the actual design that had been implemented is subject to a more Modernist design. Overall the station is done in the style of a creative eclecticism that eloquently balances the traits from both Modernism and Neoclassicism. While the exterior design speaks to us more of a neo-classical Greek revival style, the interior of the station is mostly done with some adornment of Art Deco style. The station features tall neo-Classical architecture, an open central hall with great visibility and access to trains. These transitions from one design to another also portray the contemporary attitude towards the architecture. Choosing to finish the station in a more modernized style, shows that the architects and constructors wanted a public building to convey the contemporary tendencies. By erecting a building that lacked overzealous ornaments and decorations, but at the same time conveyed the sense of grandeur and significance, the PRR wanted to establish the sense that the city and PRR are looking forward into the future and embrace the technological and scientific advancement. The eclectic marriage between the neo-classical and modernistic designs suggests that architects wanted to make a statement about a public virtue of the station, as well as communicate a sense of looking forward to the future and progress. By completing the station as it is in the present day architects did not stray from the habitual concept of planning terminal stations for convenience and comfort, they managed to maintain a sense of beauty, interest, grandeur, and power. They just did it using the architecture and techniques that were contemporary to the era of construction and that could the travelers could most readily relate to.
Today 30th Street Station is second busiest railroad station in the nation. Even though, Modernist architecture puts its emphasis on the efficiency of the buildings, the beauty and the architectural charm that 30th Street Station possesses are indisputable. The building perfectly stands out in the surrounding environment, and makes a relevant contribution to the architectural heritage of Philadelphia./ Bibliography Primary sources: "30th Street Station, PRR's Philadelphia Landmark." The American Railroads. 10 Mar. 2009 <http://www.american-rails.com/30th-street-station.html>.
Warner, Jr, Sam Bass. The Private City: Philadelphia in Three Periods of Its Growth. Craven, Jackie. "Neoclassical Architecture." Architecture and House Styles - Architecture and House Styles Facts and Photos. 5 Mar. 2009 <http://architecture.about.com/od/periodsstyles/g/neoclassical.htm>.
"The Pennsylvania Railroad." Railway History Home Page. 17 Mar. 2009 <http://mikes.railhistory.railfan.net/r009.html>. De Botton, Alain. "Architecture and Modernism by Alain de Botton." California Literary Review: Book reviews, essays, interviews. 14 Mar. 2009 <http://calitreview.com/48>.
Today 30th Street Station is the main railroad station in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It had been built during the times of the Great Depression, and marked the commitment to transition to electricity as a preferred energy source. It was opened in 1933 by the Pennsylvania Railroad. However, due to the Great Depression and the following World War II, it did not fully take over all of the operations from the Broad St. Station until 1952.
Among the innovations employed in building the 30th Street Station were pneumatic tube system, electronic intercom and reinforced roof with that could land aircrafts. The design of the station was influenced by the Northeast corridor electrification. It allowed the tracks to pass underneath the main body of the station, without exposing the passengers to the soot from the steam engines. The architectural design was carried out in the neoclassical style with some elements of Art Deco that was popular at that period.
The construction of the station exemplifies the industrial urban development of the United States. The paper shows that the construction of the 30th Street Station is a local example of the industrialization of the nation. The architectural style in which 30th Street Station had been constructed points out the eagerness of the arc hitects and the Pennsylvania Railroad to reinstate their commitment to the technological and scientific advancement.
Outline
I. Introduction
II. The History of the 30th Street Station
1. The reason it was being built
2. Northeastern electrification project
III. The Architectural style of the 30th Street Station
1. Modernism
2. Neo-Federalism
3. Art-Deco
4. The style of the building
IV. Discussion on the significance of the design of the station
V. Bibliography
INTRODUCTION
The major terminal stations in big cities can tell the travelers a lot about the city that they are located in, the society that inhabits this city and the ideals that it holds. Railroad stations in some way are like the business cards of the cities; the first impression starts from there. It is especially true of the periods when the railroads were the major means of transportation. The Railroad Stations had to convey the sense of grandeur and magnificence that could leave the incomers in awe. At the same time they had to be reflective of the era, so that the travelers could relate to it. 30th Street Station in Philadelphia did all of that, not only it was a necessary transition from a smaller train station, but also through its architecture and design it communicated the sense of grandness of simple geometrical forms, and the contemporary striving towards efficiency and scientific and technological advancement.
HISTORY
In the 1920’s Philadelphia encompassed a wide array of different industries in its suburbs. Moreover, it had been also known for its mid-size enterprises and firms. This diversity ensured city’s independence from one particular industry. As a result, Philadelphia had never experienced rapid surges in its economy and trade, at the same time it did not s uffer as heavily if any one industry went out of business. However, in order to reap the fruits of its businesses Philadelphia’s industries had to deliver their products to the world. Hence, an efficient transportation system was vital in maintaining the trade turnover.
In the beginning of the 20th century with an in increasing number of the business and industries in the Philadelphia area and the new emerging technologies that were rapidly developing, the city found itself in a dire need of a new railroad hub that would be able to accommodate an ever-growing passenger influx and have a modern design that would eliminate the pollution and soot generated from the steam engines. By 1920’s the Broad Street Station held the heaviest passenger traffic in Pennsylvania Railroad. The design was inconvenient, the trains had to make a loop and wasted time. The Broad Street Station located in the Center City was becoming small and incapable of holding such heavy passenger traffic. The trains had to be backed into and out of the station. To address these issues, the PRR started to plan to construct a new building that would offer a good alternative to the Broad St Station. As a result PRR hired an architectural firm from Chicago - Graham, Anderson, Probst and White – to design the new railroad station, which would become the 30th St Station. The construction started in 1929 and was completed in 1933. The passenger service began on March 12, 1933. It had a slow progress in the beginning due to the downturn caused by the Great Depression, and afterwards World War II ensued, which resulted in the complete overturn of the operations from the Broad ST only in 1952.
In 1905 following the electrification of the New York railroads and opening of the new electrified Grand Central Terminal, PRR announced that Philadelphia would also be a part of the Northeastern Electrification project. Northeastern Electrification Project had a strong influence on the design of the 30th street station. The construction of the station demonstrated a commitment of the PRR to switch to electricity as preferred source of energy.
Influenced by the electrification project, 30th St Station had its track passing underneath which allowed for the trains traveling north and south to continue on without rearranging the engine and cars. Additionally it separated the local commuter traffic from the interstate flux. This layout completely segregated the two different forms of traffic, and created a very efficient system. The freight trains completely bypassed the station by using the West Philadelphia Elevated Branch, which is located immediately west of the station. The station also hosted a set of novelties, such as a chapel, a mortuary and a hospital space of 3300 square feet. Another innovations employed in the 30th Street Station included a buzzer and intercom system, and a pneumatic tube network that reinforced an effective internal communication system. Moreover, the concrete roof of the station featured a landing space that could accommodate a
small aircraft. Today the 30th Street Station is the second busiest station in the nation.
ARCHITECTURE
Being built during the period when the modernist movement around the world was gaining more and more influence, 30th St Station also shows traits of the creed that form has to tell us about the function. Modernism, according to one of the most eminent modernist architects Le Corbusier, is architecture motivated by the quest for efficiency. Just to give you a sense of what modernism was about here’s what according to Le Corbusier constitutes the functions of a house: 1. To provide a shelter against heat, cold, rain, thieves and the inquisitive. 2. To provide a receptacle for light and sun. 3. To provide a certain number of cells a ppropriated to cooking, work, and personal life. The buildings in modernistic ideals were ought not to be beautiful, but to function well, and speak of the future full of speed and technology.
Neo-federalism, or neoclassicism, refers to a new classical style that takes its inspiration from the ancient classical Greek and Roman architecture. Neoclassical architecture was often times used in the architecture of the public buildings. The clarity of the Greek revival style exemplified an ideal and rational architecture that served the purpose of the building without extraneous embellishments.
The Art Deco movement in art and architecture was prevalent during the period between the two World Wars I and II. Art Deco exemplified “modernization” of earlier more classical styles in art and architecture. Art Deco was heavily used as a decorative style on the exterior and interior designs of the buildings. For the decorative purposes Art Deco employed a lot of new emerging materials, including glass, chrome, neon, terrazzo cobalt mirrors, colored glass and etc. The main concourse is an enormous hall that has easy access both to local commuter traffic, as well as interstate traffic tracks, which are located underneath.
SIGNIFICANCE
There have been numerous designs developed for the station. These variations expressed the prevalent enthusiasm about and commitment to progress through industrialization. Earlier designs reflect a more Beaux-Art approach, whereas the actual design that had been implemented is subject to a more Modernist design. Overall the station is done in the style of a creative eclecticism that eloquently balances the traits from both Modernism and Neoclassicism. While the exterior design speaks to us more of a neo-classical Greek revival style, the interior of the station is mostly done with some adornment of Art Deco style. The station features tall neo-Classical architecture, an open central hall with great visibility and access to trains. These transitions from one design to another also portray the contemporary attitude towards the architecture. Choosing to finish the station in a more modernized style, shows that the architects and constructors wanted a public building to convey the contemporary tendencies. By erecting a building that lacked overzealous ornaments and decorations, but at the same time conveyed the sense of grandeur and significance, the PRR wanted to establish the sense that the city and PRR are looking forward into the future and embrace the technological and scientific advancement. The eclectic marriage between the neo-classical and modernistic designs suggests that architects wanted to make a statement about a public virtue of the station, as well as communicate a sense of looking forward to the future and progress. By completing the station as it is in the present day architects did not stray from the habitual concept of planning terminal stations for convenience and comfort, they managed to maintain a sense of beauty, interest, grandeur, and power. They just did it using the architecture and techniques that were contemporary to the era of construction and that could the travelers could most readily relate to.
Today 30th Street Station is second busiest railroad station in the nation. Even though, Modernist architecture puts its emphasis on the efficiency of the buildings, the beauty and the architectural charm that 30th Street Station possesses are indisputable. The building perfectly stands out in the surrounding environment, and makes a relevant contribution to the architectural heritage of Philadelphia./
Bibliography
Primary sources:
"30th Street Station, PRR's Philadelphia Landmark." The American Railroads. 10 Mar. 2009 <http://www.american-rails.com/30th-street-station.html>.
Dunson, Edward. "30th Street Station." University City Historical Society Website. 22 Jan. 2009 <http://uchs.net/HistoricDistricts/30thstreet.html>.
"World Architecture Images- 30th Street Station." American Architecture. 22 Jan. 2009 <http://www.american-architecture.info/USA/USA-Northeast/NT-005.htm>.
Kyriakodis, Harry. "30th Street Station." Station Reporter Home Page. 17 Mar. 2009 <http://www.stationreporter.net/30thst.htm>.
"Transportation." Workshop of the World—Philadelphia. 14 Mar. 2009 <http://www.workshopoftheworld.com/overview/transportation.html>.
Secondary sources:
Warner, Jr, Sam Bass. The Private City: Philadelphia in Three Periods of Its Growth.
Craven, Jackie. "Neoclassical Architecture." Architecture and House Styles - Architecture and House Styles Facts and Photos. 5 Mar. 2009 <http://architecture.about.com/od/periodsstyles/g/neoclassical.htm>.
"The Pennsylvania Railroad." Railway History Home Page. 17 Mar. 2009 <http://mikes.railhistory.railfan.net/r009.html>.
De Botton, Alain. "Architecture and Modernism by Alain de Botton." California Literary Review: Book reviews, essays, interviews. 14 Mar. 2009 <http://calitreview.com/48>.
"Art Deco Architecture: History." Art Deco Furniture, Antiques, Jewelry and Interior Designers. 15 Mar. 2009 <http://www.retropolis.net/history.html>.
"Neoclassical Art and Architecture." The History Channel - Home Page. 15 Mar. 2009 <http://www.history.com/encyclopedia.do?articleId=217474>.